Resolution Chart Comparison

Shots here are of the PIMA/ISO 12233 standard resolution
test chart (more of which are available in our comparison
database). This resolution chart allows us to measure the actual performance
of the lens and sensor system. It measures the ability of the camera to
resolve lines at gradually higher resolutions and enables us to provide
a definitive value for comparison purposes. Values on the chart are 1/100th
lines per picture height. So a value of 15 equates to 1500 lines per picture
height.

Lines per Picture Height (to allow
for different aspect ratios the measurement is the same for horizontal
and vertical)

5° Diagonal

Lines set at 5° diagonal

Absolute Resolution

Still defined detail (below Nyquist
frequency*)

Extinction Resolution

Detail beyond camera's definition
(becomes a solid gray alias)

n/a

Not Available (above the capability
of the test chart)

n/v

Not Visible (not visible on test
results)

* Nyquist frequency defined as the highest spatial
frequency where the sensor can
still faithfully record image detail. Beyond the Nyquist frequency aliasing
occurs

The SD9 is capable of delivering all nine individual
lines of the horizontal or vertical resolution bars up to its maximum
absolute resolution (sensor vertical pixel count) and slightly beyond.
Note also that because the X3 sensor doesn't need a color filter array
it doesn't suffer from color moiré.. Absolute resolution is just
less than the Canon EOS-D60, Nikon D100 and Fujifilm S2 Pro (at 6 mp).

However, because the X3 sensor doesn't use a low pass
(anti-alias) filter it is able to resolve detail all the way up to Nyquist.
Beyond Nyquist the system will alias without any objectionable color moiré.
Where a Bayer sensor camera would turn detail beyond Nyquist (such as
distant grass texture) into a single plane of blurred color the SD9 will
continue to reproduce some individual pixel detail (without color moiré).